Orientation device for wells



L. Cf MILLER ORIENTATION DEVICE FOR WELLS April l., 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET1 Filed Dec; 3o, 1949 April 1, 1952 L. c. M|LLER E 2,590,880

rORIENTATION DEVICE FoR wELLs' Filed Dec. 3o, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Flr.a

l INVENTOR. 60N/09s c. ,f4/af@ s BY . ATTORNEYS.

Patented pr. l, 1.952

ORIENTATION DEVICE FOR WELLS Leonidas C. Miller, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 30, 1949, Serial No. 135,884

(Cl. 33e-72) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to the rotary well drilling art and isparticularly directed to apparatus for use in orienting a tool loweredinto a well bore.

When a whipstock or other directional tool is lowered into a well boreit is necessary to maintain some sort of record of the angular rotationof the individual sections of the pipe string car rying the whipstock orother tool as each section is sequentially lowered into the bore hole.Ordinarily the orientation of the whipstock or other tool is known atthe time it is lowered into the well bore, and means are provided fortabulating the clockwise and counter-clockwise angular movement of thedrill pipe sections as each is lowered into the hole. One form oforientation apparatus is shown in my prior patent, No. 2,324,103,granted July 13, 1943. When the whipstock or other tool has been loweredto the desired depth the algebraic sum of the individual clockwise andcounter-clockwise movements is taken, and from this computation theangular position of the whipstock or other tool is calculated. If thisangular position varies from the orientation desired the pipe string isturned at the surface through the prop-er angular distance to bring thewhipstock or other tool at the lower end of the pipe string into thedesired position.

When a large number of joints of pipe make up the total length of thedrill stringa correspondingly large number of readings or tabulationsmust be made inA order that the final position of the whipstock or othertool may be calculated. If any one of the annular readings is in erroror if one is inadvertently omitted from the tabulation the finalcalculated orientation of the whipstock or other tool will be in errorand there is no way of checking to determine whether the calculatedreading is correct or incorrect.

In accordance with my invention I provide a device which may be operatedby a man standing at the level of the derrick door, which deviceautomatically provides a visual indication of ,the angular position ofthe whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the drill string as itis -lengthened section by section and lowered into the bore hole. Notabulations need be made, and lit' is unnecessary at the end of theprocess to make an algebraic sum of the clockwise and counterclockwiserotations of the drill pipel or tubing as it is lowered into the hole.

Accordingly, the principal object of my invention is to provide anorienting device which may be used to aord a visual indication of theindividual angular movements of the drill string as it is being loweredinto or withdrawn from the hole.

Another object is to provide a device of this type which is rugged indesign, simple to operate and not apt to get out of order.

Another object is to provide a device of this type having a sightingmember carried on a swivel mounta reference member adapted to bereleasably secured to an element on the drill pipe or tubing, and anintermediate register member which may be connected to turn with eitherof the first two said members as desired.

Another object is to provide an orienter device of this type in whichthe sighting member, the reference member and the register member areooaxially positioned.

A further object is to provide such a device in which the members areindependently rotatable and wherein the register member may move axiallyfor frictional engagement with either the reference member or thesighting member, as desired.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a preferred type of orienterdeviceembodying my in- Vention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on thelines 2-2 as shown in Figure l.

`Figure 3 is atransverse sectional view taken substantially on the lines3 3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 isl a sectional view similar to Figure'Z vbut showing themoving parts in a different position.

n Figure 5 is a schematic diagonal of a well drilling rid illustrating apreferred method of operating the orienter device embodying myinvention. j

Figure 6 is asectional view of a portion ofthe device takensubstantially on the lines 6-6 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of theregister member.

Y Figure 8 is a plan view partly in section and partly broken awayshowing the preferred form of Vpipe clamp used in connection with theap-l paratus embodying my invention.

. Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 5 thereof, thewell drilling derrick I0 supports the usual travellingblock l I and hookl2 by means of a flexible cable I3. Elevator links I4 supended from thehook I2 carry a conventional pipe elevator I5. This elevator engagesunder a coupling collar to support a stand of drill pipe I6, and thedrill pipe I6 may be lowered into the bore hole by lowering thetravelling block II within the derrick I as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. A rotary machine I1 may be located at the level ofthe derrick floor I8, and this rotary machine may be provided with abushing assembly I9 having a central tapered bore 2D. Pipe slips orWedges (not shown) may be placed within the tapered bore 20 to supportthe weight of the drill string generally designated 2|. This drillstring is composed of multiple lengths of pipe I6.

A whipstock or other tool (not shown) is carried on the lower end of thedrill string 2I and is initially oriented in a known direction. As thedrill string is lowered into the well hole and as additional pipesections are added, the drill string turns about its longitudinal axisthrough small angular increments. This turning movement may be caused bycontact of the whipstoek or pipe couplings or protectors 22 with theWall of the bore hole, and the angular movement is not constant but maytake place in a clockwise dricetion while certain stands are beinglowered into the well bore, and may take p-lace in a different magnitudeand in a counter-clockwise direction while other stands are beinglowered. Accordingly, some sort of record must be kept of the angularmovements of the drill string as it is lowered into the hole in orderthat the nal orientation of the whipstock or other tool may beaccurately known.

In order that a record may be kept a plurality of clamp members 23 and24 are provided which may be conveniently attached to the pipe string.These clamps may be identical and each is provided with a tapered socket25. The clamp assembly 24 is first applied to the upper end of thelowermost stand of pipe which carries the whipstock or other tool at itslower end. The whipstock is positioned in the general location of therotary machine II while the pipe clamp assembly 24 is applied by thederrick man. In Figure the relative size of the pipe clamp assemblies 23and 24 has been greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration. Atelescope sighting instrument 26 is then employed by the derrick man sothat the socket 25 on the clamp assembly V24 is oriented in a knowndirection. This may be accomplished by sighting at a distant fixedobject such as, for example, a telephone pole 21. A taper pin 28 isreceived by the taper socket 25, and since the pin 28 and telescope 29have their principal axes in the same vertical plane the socket 25 isoriented in a known direction whenever the derrick man sights thetelephone pole 21 through the telescope instrument 2G. The derrick manthen withdraws the sighting instrument, together with its taper pin 28,from the socket 25, allowing the clamp assembly 24 to remain on thepipe. The travelling block II and associated parts are then lowered sothat the upper end of the pipe I6 and clamp assembly 24 approach therotary machine I'I. Pipe slips (not shown) are then inserted into thetaper bore 20 to contact the pipe below the location of the clampassembly 24 and thus support the pipe string within the well bore. Theelevator I5 is then disconnected from the upper end of the pipe standand another pipe stand is threadedly connected to the lower one byconventional means.

The orienter 3l! embodying my invention is then engaged with the clampassembly 24. A taper pin 3| on the orienter is thrust into the socket25. An operator at the level of the derrick floor sights the pole 2'Ithrough the telescope 32 on the orienter 3B. If the telephone pole 2 iscentered in the cross-hairs of the telescope 32 when the latter isparallel with the axis of the taper pin 3l, the pipe string 2l has notturned angularly as it was being lowered into the hole. However, ifangular rotation has occurred the operator at the level of the derrickfloor will have to swing the telescope 32 either clockwise orcounter-clockwise to sight on the telephone pole 27. An operatingelement 33 is provided on the orienter 30, and this element is actuatedby the operator so that a record of the angular movement of thetelescope 32 is automatically recorded by the orienter Eil. A detaileddescription of the construction and operation of the orienter appearshereinafter. The operator at the derrick floor then withdraws theorienter 3l) including the taper pin SI from the clamp assembly 24 andthen removes the clamp assembly 24 from the plpe.

While the operator at the derrick iioor is manipulating the orienter 3i]to secure a record of any possible angular movement of the pipepreviously lowered into the hole, the derrick man applies another clampassembly 23 to the upper end of the new pipe stand and aligns the socket25 of the clamp assembly 23 with the known reference 27 in the mannerpreviously described.

While the telescope instrument 25 and orienter 3i? are each shown asbeing provided with a tapered pin, it will be understood that if desiredthe taper pin can be xed on the clamp and the taper socket provided onthe telescope instrument 25 and on the orienter 3Q. The derrick managain removes the sighting instrument 26, the pipe slips (not shown) arewithdrawn from the taper bore 2l), the travelling block I I is againlowered to bring the elevator I5 and clamp assembly 23 near the rotarytable I'I, the slips are reset, and the process is repeated. After thepipe clamps are removed from the lower portion of the pipe stand theyare lifted up into the derrick by means of a catline (not shown) andre-applied to the pipe. While only two clamp assemblies 23 and 24 havebeen shown in the drawings, it will be understood that it may bedesirable to employ a third clamp so that one may be connected enroutefrom the derrick floor to the derrick man while the other two are beingused.

The orienter generally designated 30 automatically maintains a record ofthe angular movement of the sections of the drill pipe or tubing as itis connected to the well string and lowered into the well bore. As shownin the drawings this orienter 3G includes a sighting member 34, aregister member 35, and a reference member 35. These members arecoaxially positioned and mounted for independent rotation. The functionof the operating element 33 is to connect the register member 35 toeither the sighting member 34 or to the reference member 35 as desired.

The telescope S2 may take any suitable or desirable form and is providedwith the usual eyepiece 3'I. The telescope is mounted for pivotalmovement about the axis of the aligned pivot pins 38 which are carriedon the upstanding parallel brackets 39. A spirit level 40 may also beprovided on the brackets 39, and the said brackets may be formedintegrally with a anged cap member 4I. This cap member 4I is secured4for axial movement within the sleeve 45. Ahollow stem 65 is providedwith aligned transto the ring 42 by means of screw elements 43. Axiallyspaced bearing assemblies 44 are provided for rotatably mounting thering 42 on the sleeve 45. The sleeve 45 extends axially of the members34, 35 and 38 and carries threads 46 at its lower end for a fixedconnection with the base 41 which constitutes a portion of the referencemember 36. The taper pin 3| is fixed in the base 41 and the axis of thetaper pin extends at right angles to the axis of the sleeve 45.

The register member 35 is mounted for rotation on the sleeve 45. Thissighting member includes an anular rib 48 which carries the outer raceof an anti-friction bearing assembly 49 as a press iit. The inner race50 of the bearing assembly 49 is clamped between shoulder 5I on collar52 and nut 53 threaded on collar 52. A coil spring 54 encircles thelower portion of the sleeve v45 and serves to support the collar 52,bearing assembly 49 and register member 35 upon a shoulder 55 of thebase 41. The bore 56 of the collar 52 receives the cylindrical surface51 of the sleeve 45 in sliding relationship. Means are provided forpreventing relative rotary movement between the collar 52 and sleeve 45while permitting relative axial movement. As shown clearly in Figures 3and '1 of the drawings, this means includes a radially extending taperpin 58 threadedly mounted on the collar 52 and extending into a radiallyextending tapered socket 59 provided on the sleeve 45. The pin 58 may beaxially adjusted to eliminate substantially all of the blacklash betweenthe collar 52 and the sleeve 45 while permitting relative axial movementtherebetween.

The reference member 33 includes a ring 50 `which is xed to the base 41by means of a series of axially extending threaded elements 6l (seeFigure 6). Near the upper end of this ring 60 is provided an internaltaper surface 52. The register member 35 is provided on its lower endwith a corresponding external taper surface 53. Axial movement of theregister member 35 serves to bring the taper surfaces 62 and 53 intoengagement to form a friction drive.

Similarly, the upper end of the register member 35 is provided with anexternal taper surface 94 which is adapted to engage the correspondinginternal taper surface 65 provided on the ring 42 which forms a part ofthe sighting member 34. Axial movement of the register member 35 maybring the surfaces 54 and 55 into engagement to establish a frictiondrive.

Means are provided for shifting the register 'member 35 from a positionof engagement with the sighting member 34 to a position of engagementwith the reference member 35 and vice versa. As shown in the drawings,this means includes a central hollow stem 36 slidably mounted This verseapertures 81 near its lower end which receives the central eccentricportion 68 on the actuating pin 89. This actuating pin 59 extendstransversely of the axis of the sleeve 45 and hollow stem 55 and isturnably mounted within axially spaced bearings 10 provided on the base41. The pin is shouldered at 1l and a retainer 12 is attached by meansof removable screw elements 13 to one end of the pin 59 to preventdisassembly. The other end of the pin 59 projects laterally from thereference member 36 and the clutch-operating element 33 is xed to thisprojecting end. A ball 14 urged by a spring v15 may enter one of aplurality of detents 16 provided in the actuating pin 69 for maintainingthe pin in selected position about its axis. From this description itwill be understood that when the clutch-operating element 33 is used toturn the pin 69 within the base 41, the eccentric portion 68 moves thehollow stem 66 in an axial direction.

This motion is communicated to the register member 35 through a stop pin11 which is threadedly mounted on the upper end of the collar 52 andwhich projects through an axial slot 18 provided in the sleeve 45. Thestop pin projects radially under a portion of a sliding collar 1,9mounted on the hollow stem 66. A retaining cap is threaded on the upperend ofthe hollow stem 86 and confines a radially extending disk 8iagainst a shoulder onthevhollow'stem. A coil spring 82 engages thedisk8l `at one end and engages the sliding collar 19 at the .other end.Accordingly,' when the hollow stem 66 moves downward from the positionshown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 4, the lower surfaceof the collar 19 contacts the radial stop pin 11 and moves the collar 52downwardly until the taper surfaces 63 and 62 meet in frictionalengagement. The action of the spring 82 is resisted by the action of thespring 54, but the spring 82 is designed so that its coils meet incontact, that is, the spring becomes solid, so that the stop pin 11moves the collar 52 downwardly.

Releasable means are provided for connecting the sleeve 45 to thesighting member 34. As shown in the vdrawings this means includes aradially movable pin 83 sldably mounted within an axially extending boreprovided on the sleeve 45. The upper end 84 of the pin 83 is bevelled tofacilitate its entrance into a tapered recess 85 provided on the plate8B. A spring 81 acts to move the pin 83 toward the recess 85. A slot 88in the side of the pin 83 receives a portion of the disk BI so that whenthe hollow stem 65 and disk 8i move downwardly the .pin 83 is withdrawnfrom the recess 85.

The plate 86 is carried on the angularly adjustable ring 89 which islocated within the upper portion of the ring 42. A set screw 90 on thering '42 is provided for frictionally engaging the ring 89 and forsecuring it in any adjusted angular position. The purpose of thisadjustment is to enable the axis of the telescope 32 and axis of thetaper pin 3i to be accurately aligned initially at thev factory. Oncethis alignment is secured the set screw 90 is employed to clamp the ring89 so that thereafter it functions as' an integral part of the ring 42.

When the clutchfoperating element 33 is turned from the position shownin Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 4, the hollow stem 66 anddisk 8| are moved axially downward. thereby withdrawing the pin 83 andmoving the register member 35 into frictional engagement with thereference member 38 along the cooperatu ing surfaces 62 and 63. When theoperating element 33 is returned from the position shown in Figure 4 tothe position shown in Figure 2, the coil spring 54 raises the registerelement 35 into frictional engagement with the sighting element 34 alongthe surfaces 64 and 55,' and the spring 81 moves the pin 83 upwardly. Ifthe socket 85 happens to be in registry with the pin 83, the pin B3enters the socket. If not, the upper surface of the pin rests againstthe lower surface of the plate 86.

While the anti-friction bearing assembly 49 maintains the sightingelement 45 for free rotation with respect to the sleeve 45. means areprovided' to apply frlctional restraint to avoid inadvertent turningmovement of the register member 35. As shown clearly in Figures 3 and'1, friction disks 91 and 92 having serrated outer edges are clamped tothe collar 52 on opposite sides of the bearing race 50. 'lhe serratededges of these friction disks are bent inwardly to form a wiping contactwith the edge surfaces of the annular rib 48. These disks 9i and 92impose a frictional restraint on rotation of the register member 35.

In the operation of the device the derrick man attaches the clamps 23and 24 sequentially to the pipe stands :as described above. This isaccomplished by manipulation of the screws 93 and 94.011 .the clamps.The screw 93 anchors the frame of the clamp to the pipe and the screw93' turns the worm pinion 84 so that the worm wheel 95 which meshes withthe worm pinion may turn the socket member 25 with respect to the frameof the clamp. The derrick man fixes the clamp to the pipe in an angularposition such that the telescope 29 when mounted on the clamp will.register approximately with the target 2l'. The ne adjustment onaligning the axis of the telescope 29 with the telephone pole 21 is made.by turning the .screw 93'.

When the clamp with its aiigned socket 25 is in position just above thedei-rick floor, the operator engages the taper pin 3| in the previously.aligned socket 25. The index marks 96, 3l and ment 33 is in the uplposition as shown in Figure 1. The operator standing near the level ofthe derrick oor thrusts the taper pin 3| into the previously alignedsocket 25. Since the clamp is fixed Vto the pipe, any turning movementof the pipe stand as it was lowered into the hole carries the clamp withit. Accordingly, when the orienter 30 is attached to the clamp by meansof the socket 25 and taper pin 3i the telescope axis will not coincidewith the target 2l unless it is turned to bring its axis out of the sameplane with the axis of the taper pin 3|. Such turning movement of thetelescope 32 is made after the operator -at thelevel of the derrickfloor has first moved the actuating element 33 to its down position asshow-n in Figure 4. The pin 83 is thus retracted from the socket and thesighting member 34 is free to turn .relative to the reference member 36.When the operator locates the target 21 through the telescope 32 hemoves the actuating element 3.3 back to its up position, therebyengaging the surfaces 54 and 55 for establishing a friction contactbetween the record member 35 and the sighting member 34. The pin 83 doesnot enter the socket 95 because the relative rotation between thesighting member 39 and reference member 36 has placed the socket 85 outof registry with the pin 83.

rlhe operator then withdraws the orienter 33 Vfrom the clamp by removingie pin 3i from the socket 25. He then disconnects the clamp from thepipe :and the clamp is hoisted up into the derrick on a catline forsubsequent attachment to another' stand of pipe by the derrickman.

While the orienter V3E! has been in use on one of the clamps iederrickman attaches another clamp and aligns the socket 25 thereof withthe target by means of his telescope 29. He withdraws the sightinginstrument '2G including the telescope 29, the clamp remaining on thepipe. The pipe is again lowered vand the clamp just applied by thederrickman reaches a sleeve near the derrick floor. The operator againplaces the taper pin 3l in the previously aligned socket 25 on the clampand turns the sighting member until the pin 83 moves into the socket 85,thereby aligning the axis of the telescope 32 with the axis of the taperpin 3l and securing the members 34 and 3G against relative rotation. Hethen moves the actuator element 33 to the down position, therebyengaging the register member 35 with the reference member 35 along thefriction surfaces 62, 63. He then swings the telescope 32 until thetarget is sighted. The actuator element 33 is raised and the orienter 30is withdrawn from the clamp on the pipe. This sequence of operations isrepeated until the last stand of pipe has been added to the drillstring. The operator puts the taper pin 3l in the socket 25 of the clampon the pipe and turns the sighting member 34 until the pin 83 enters thesocket S5. He then tightens the clamp screw 99 on the sighting memberv3d. This serves to connect the sighting member with the referencemember and to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The of thetelescope 32 is thus held parallel with the axis of the taper pin 3i.The pipe I6 is then rotated by means of the rotary machine Il slowlyuntil the telescope 32 is sighted on the target 21. The pipe is thusoriented so that the whipstock or other tool on the lower end thereof isin the same angular relationship with respect to the target 21 as it waswhen it was initially lowered into the Well hole.

During the various steps in orienting the pipe as it is lowered into thehole, the index 9'! on the register member 35 may travel clockwise orcounterclockwise with respect to the indexes 96 and 93. The finalposition of the index 91 provides an indication of the nal position ofthe whipstock or other tool at the lower end of the drill string.Furthermore, the position of this index 91 during the various steps inthe orienting process continuously furnishes an indication of theaccumulative angular movement of the whipstock or other tool.

From the above description it will be understood that it is unnecessaryto tabulate angular readings or to make any algebraic summation ofangular movements in order to turn the last stand of pipe through therequired angle and in the required direction to bring the whipstock orother tool at the lower end of the pipe into the desired position.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by apipe extending into a well bore, the combination of a clamp memberreleasably secured tothe pipe, an orienter having a reference member,cooperating parts on the reference member and clamp member providing areleasable connection therebetween, the orienter including a registermember and a sighting member, the latter two members being mounted forindependent rotation relative to the Vreference member about a commonrotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elements forreleasably clutching the register member to either the sighting memberor reference member as desired.

2. In a. device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by apipe extending into a well bore, the combination of: a clamp member forreleasably secured to the'pipe, an orienter having a reference member,cooperating parts on the reference memb-er and clamp member providing areleasable connection therebetween, said parts including a taper pin onone member engageable in a taper socket in the other member, theorienter including a register member and a sighting member, the lattertwo members being mounted for independent rotation relative to thereference member about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis,and cooperating elements for releasably clutching the register member toeither the sighting member or reference member as desired.

3. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by apipe extendng into a well bore, the combination of: a clamp releasablysecured to the pipe, an orienter having a reference member, cooperatingparts on the reference member and clamp providing a releasableconnection therebetween, said parts including a taper pin on thereference member engageable in a taper socket in the clamp, the orienterincluding a register member and a sighting membei', the latter twomembers being mounted for independent rotation relative to the referencemember about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, andcooperating elements for releasably clutching t'ne register member toeither the sighting member or reference member as desired.

4. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp on the pipe,comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, areference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independentturning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, asighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on thereference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperatingrotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member forreleasably securing the members together in a single lockingorientation, and releasable clutch elements for frictionally connectingthe register member to either the sighting member or the referencemember.

5. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a socketed clamp on the pipe,comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, areference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independentturning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, asighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning pin o-n thereference member releasable connection with the socketed clamp,cooperating rotation lock elements on the sighting member and referencemember for releasably securing the members together in a single lockingorientation, and releasable clutch elements for connecting the registermember to either the sighting member or the reference member.

6. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp von the pipe,comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, areference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independentturning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, asighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on thereference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperatingrotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member forreleasably securing the members together in a single lock- 7. Pipeorientation apparatus for use with ya clamp on the pipe, comprising incombination: a sighting member, a register member, a reference member,the members being coaxially mounted for independent turning movementabout a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, a sightinginstrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on the referencemember for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperating rotationlook elements on the sighting member and reference member for releasablysecuring the members together iny a single locking orientation, andshifter elements for moving the register member axially into frictio-nalengagement with either the sighting member or the reference member.

8. Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a clamp on the pipe,comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, areference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independentturning movement about a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, asighting instrument on the sighting member, an aligning element on thereference member for releasable connection with the clamp, cooperatingrotation lock elements on the sighting member and reference member forreleasably securing the members together in a single lockingorientation, and shifter elements for moving the register member axiallyinto frictional engagement with either the sighting member or thereference member, the shifter elements being operatively connected torelease said rotation lock elements.

Q 'Pipe orientation apparatus for use with a socketed clamp on the pipe,comprising in combination: a sighting member, a register member, areference member, the members being coaxially mounted for independentturning movement about -a common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis,a sighting instrument on the sighting member, a laterally extendingaligning pin on the reference member for releasable connection with thesocketed clamp, cooperating rotation lock elements on the sightingmember and reference member for releasably securing the members togetherin a single locking orientation and to maintain the axis of the sightingmember and the axis of the aligning pin in the same plane, andreleasable clutch elements for connecting the register member to eitherthe sighting member or the reference member.

10. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member having alaterally extending aligning element thereon whereby it may besupported, means including bearing means 'for rotatably supporting thesighting member upon the reference member about an axis parallel to thepipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements on said members forreleasably securing them against relative rotation to maintain the axisof the aligning element and axis of the sighting member in the sameplane, a register member mounted for independent rotation coaxially ofthe sighting member and reference member, releasable clutch elements forfrictionally connecting the register member to either the sightingmember or the reference meming a laterally projecting aligning elementthereon whereby it may be supported, means including bearing means forrotatably supporting the sighting member upon the reference member aboutan axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements onsaid members for releasably securing them against relative rotation tomaintain the axis of the aligning element and axis of the sightingmember in the same plane, a register member mounted for independentrotation coaxially of the sighting member and reference member,releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting the registermember to either the sighting member or the reference member, anactuating element cn the reference member operatively connected toengage said clutch elements as desired, and means actuated by saidactuating element for releasing said rotation lock elements when theregister member is frictionally connected to the reference member.

12. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference member havingan aligning element thereon, means includ- Ving bearing means forrotatably supporting the sighting member upon the reference member aboutan axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements onsaid members for releasably securing them at only one relative angularposition against relative rotation, a register member mounted forindependent rotation coaxially of the sighting member and referencemember, releasable clutch elements for frictionally connecting theregister member to either the sighting member or the reference member,and supplementary rotation lock means effective at any relative angularposition of the sighting member and reference member to secure themagainst relative rotation.

13. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference memberincluding a base having a radially projecting aligning element thereon,an axially extending sleeve xed on the base, means including bearingmeans for rotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve aboutan axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperating rotation lock elements onthe sleeve and sighting member for releasably securing them at only onerelative angular position against relative rotation, a register member,a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing meansrotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, selectivelyoperable means for axially shifting the collar to engage the registermember with either the sighting member or the reference member and torelease said rotation lock elements when the register member is engagedwith the reference member.

14. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference memberincluding a base having a radial aligning pin thereon, an axiallyextending sleeve xed on the base, means including bearing means forrotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve, cooperatingrotation lock elements on the sleeve and sighting member for aligningthe axis of the radial pin and the axis of the sighting instrument, aregister member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on thesleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon saidcollar, selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar toengage the register member with either the sighting member or thereference member and to release said rotation lock elements when theregister member is eneased with the reference member.

15. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sightf on the base, means including bearing means forrotatably supporting the sighting member upon the sleeve about an axisparallel to the pipe axis, a register member having friction surfacesfor engagement with either the sighting member or the reference member,a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, bearing meansrotatably supporting the register member upon said collar, friction dragelements preventing free rotation of the register member on said collarand selectively operable elements for axially shifting the collar tofrictionally engage the register member with either the sighting memberor the reference member.

16. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference memberincluding a base, an axially extending sleeve xed on the base, meansincluding bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting memberupon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis. a registermember, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on the sleeve, thesleeve having an axially extending slot with diverging side walls, ataper pin mounted for radial adjustment on the collar and receivedbetween said diverging side walls to minimize relative turning movementbetween the collar and the sleeve, bearing means rotatably supportingthe register member upon said collar, and selectively operable means foraxially shifting the collar to engage the register member with eitherthe sighting member or the reference member.

17. Pipe orientation apparatus, comprising in combination: a sightingmember having a sighting instrument thereon, a reference memberincluding a base, an axially extending sleeve fixed on the base, meansincluding bearing means for rotatably supporting the sighting memberupon the sleeve about an axis parallel to the pipe axis, cooperatingrotation lock elements on the sleeve and sighting member for releasablysecuring them at only one relative angular position against relativerotation, the lock elements comprising an axially movable pin on onemember adapted to register with an opening provided on the other member,a register member, a collar mounted for axial sliding movement on thesleeve, bearing means rotatably supporting the register member upon saidcollar, selectively operable means for axially shifting the collar toengage the register member with either the sighting member or thereference member, said means including an actuating element on thereference member accessible exteriorly thereof, said means alsoincluding a stem extending axially of the sleeve, the actuating elementbeing connected to shift the stem axially, and means operativelyconnected to the stem for retracting the pin from the opening when theregister member is engaged with the reference member.

18. In an orienter device for determining the orientation of a toolsupported by a, pipe extending into a Well bore, the combination of: areference member, means including an element on the reference memberproviding a releasable connection with an element on the pipe, aregister member and a sighting member, the latter two members beingmounted for independent rotation relative to the reference member abouta common rotary axis parallel to the pipe axis, and cooperating elementsfor releasably'clutching the register member to either the sightingmember or the reference member as desired.

19. In a device for determining the orientation of a tool supported by apipe extending into a Well bore, the pipe having an element clampedthereto, the combination of: a reference member, means including anelement on the reference member providing a releasable aligningconnection with the element clamped on the pipe, a register member and asighting member, the latter two members being mounted for independent 14turning movement relative to the reference member about a common rotaryaxis parallel to the pipe axis, and means for releasably securing theregister member to either the sighting member or the reference member asdesired.

LEONIDAS C. MTLLER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the le of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,770,224 Anderson July 8, 19302,324,103 Miller July 13, 1943 2,519,191 Jassy Aug. 15, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 24,145 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1897 322,497Great Britain Dec. 6, 1929

